Bachelor of Laws

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge in the practice of law
2. Demonstrate a broad level of knowledge of the principles and practices of law including policy, procedures, legislation and statutory compliance
3. Demonstrate the academic skills, information literacy, and law research skills necessary to interpret and evaluate statutory and common law, together with relevant precedents and policy documents, and to apply this knowledge to legal situations in particular contexts
4. Demonstrate the capacity to exercise their own initiative and judgement by analysing complex legal problems, develop solutions, and communicate these solutions to a variety of audiences
5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for legal and non‐legal audiences, in both oral and written form
6. Demonstrate an in‐depth understanding of Indigenous law and customs, including native titles, cultural heritage and collaborative solutions
7. Demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply International Law in specific contexts
8. Demonstrate professional skills in traditional aspects of law, including advocacy and alternative dispute resolution, appropriate for regional, rural and remote Australia (RRR)
9. Demonstrate the ability to continue to learn in their professional development, and to thrive in environments of complexity, ambiguity and change
10. Demonstrate a critical understanding of social justice issues particularly relevant to regional, rural and remote Australia, including domestic violence, legal access, financial constraints, and the tyranny of distance
11. Demonstrate professional legal, ethical and personal conduct in the practice of law, including an awareness of ethical obligation and competency
12. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the nature of different worldviews and culture, including respect for Indigenous cultures and histories
13. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through personal autonomy, well‐developed judgement and responsibility, in contexts that require competency and learning
14. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others.

Graduates with legal qualifications are sought in almost every field and every industry.

• Work for government and non-government organisations

Pursue a career in government agencies, legal aid or community legal centres, mediation and dispute resolution, or social justice advocacy. Roles are also found in domestic or international non-government organisations specialising in human rights, environmental law, or native title and Indigenous affairs.

• Move into private enterprise

Pursue a legal career in commercial law firms or small, medium or large businesses.

• Explore opportunities with further study

With further study, you could work in private practice as a solicitor or barrister, or pursue a career in academia or research.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws degree has been developed to meet the Legal Profession Admissions Board of NSW accreditation requirements. The course aims, objectives and core curriculum are based on the Priestley 11 Standards provided by the Legal Profession Admission Rules 2015 (NSW).

Higher education

Successful completion of 1 year (full time equivalence) of a Bachelor degree or AQF equivalent.

OR

Successful completion of LAW112* and either LAW113* or LAW116* as part of a CSU Bachelor degree or as Single Subject Study.

*please note above subjects are available directly through CSU and cannot be enrolled through OUA.

Secondary education

A completed High School Certificate (or equivalent) with an ATAR of at least 80 (including adjustment factors).

Work and Life

Successfully completed the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) with a minimum score of 172 following a completed Higher School Certificate and demonstrated paid employment in the legal service field of no less than 2 years (or fulltime equivalency).

OR

Demonstrated academic/professional achievement for example completion of a Diploma of Conveyancing or Associate Degree in Policing Practice; and paid employment in the legal service field of no less than five years (or full time equivalence), for example, a paralegal, Court Officer, Police Officer or Licensed Conveyancer.

English Proficiency Requirements

Minimum CSU English Language Proficiency Requirements apply.

Law subjects belonging to the Priestley 11 category completed in a course not accredited by the Legal Professions Admissions Board of NSW, or equivalent interstate registration boards, cannot be credited towards Charles Sturt Bachelor of Laws.

The three-year Bachelor of Laws from Charles Sturt University is an internationally unique undergraduate law degree. As well as teaching the traditional law curriculum, including a wide range of electives such as technology law, family law and succession law, the course incorporates Indigenous Australian content, embeds cultural competence and includes specialised regional law topics.

Intensive teaching

The degree is available entirely online and there are no on campus requirements. In addition to optional online weekly meetings, most of the core law subjects (other than LAW314) include an optional two-day online intensive. The subject LAW314 includes a compulsory two-day online intensive school.

Recommended Study Pattern

Core Subjects

• JST123 Indigenous Australians and Justice: An Introduction
• LAW112 Introduction to the Australian Legal System
• LAW113 Criminal Law
• LAW114 Law of Torts
• LAW116 Writing and Communication for Legal Professionals
• LAW212 Evidence Law
• LAW213 Criminal Procedure
• LAW214 Contract Law
• LAW216 Property Law
• LAW217 Civil Procedure
• LAW218 Equity and Trusts
• LAW219 Company Law
• LAW308 Constitutional Law
• LAW309 Professional Legal Conduct
• LAW311 Administrative and Government Law
• LAW313 International Public and Private Law
• LAW314 Community Law and Culture: Regional, Rural, Remote and Indigenous Contemporary Issues (16)
• LAW321 Natural Resources Law

Restricted Electives

• Choose five subjects (40 points) from the following list of Restricted Electives: JST220 Gender and Crime
• JST318 Human Rights and Social Justice
• JST339 Sentencing Law and Practice
• LAW202 Family Law
• LAW222 Technology Law
• LAW223 Succession Law
• LAW240 Industrial Law
• LAW300 Environmental Law
• LAW301 Taxation Law (Principles)
• LAW302 Taxation Law (Issues)
• LAW318 Jurisprudence
• LAW370 Law of Employment
• LAW316 Dispute Resolution: Methods and Results
• LAW317 Mediation: Processes and Uses

Key Subjects

• LAW112 Introduction to the Australian Legal System
• LAW113 Criminal Law
• LAW114 Law of Torts
• LAW116 Writing and Communication for Legal Professionals
• LAW212 Evidence Law
• LAW213 Criminal Procedure
• LAW214 Contract Law
• LAW216 Property Law
• LAW217 Civil Procedure
• LAW218 Equity and Trusts
• LAW219 Company Law
• LAW308 Constitutional Law
• LAW309 Professional Legal Conduct LAW311 Administrative and Government Law

Award Requirements

Students are required to complete 192 points which comprise of 18 core subjects (152 points) and five restricted electives (40 points).